Opinion

Digital payments need a sustainable funding model for future growth

The Lok Sabha's tax amendment Bill opens the door for future UPI merchant charges, reigniting the debate on funding India's fast-growing digital payments ecosystem

Can the India-US tax treaty survive an AI-dollar deluge in the digital era?

India's AI ambitions demand a rethink of the India-US tax treaty to clarify taxation of cloud services, AI subscriptions and cross-border digital revenues

Short of expectations: New closing auction system on exchanges needs review

The new closing auction session has triggered price divergences in F&O stocks, raising concerns over liquidity, price discovery and its impact on investors

KYC: A safeguard, not a barrier

An effective KYC programme can make banking easy for genuine customers

AI-powered cognitive warfare demands a new defence of public trust

Information warfare has moved beyond fake news to shaping how we think. Building cognitive resilience is now as important as safeguarding our borders

Best of BS Opinion: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening

Today's opinions examine the RBI's inflation dilemma, rising life insurance surrenders, India's employment crisis, possible UPI charges and the shift from food to nutrition security

The story now is not 'lower for longer', but the calm before higher rates

Strong growth, above-target inflation projections and near-zero real interest rates suggest the RBI's dovish stance may not last, raising the prospect of higher rates ahead

Status quo policy: Rate hike may still not be on the cards this year

RBI keeps the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, raises FY27 growth forecast, trims inflation outlook and leaves the door open on future rate hikes amid global uncertainty

Beyond policy sales: Insurance companies must prioritise customer retention

Rising life insurance policy surrenders highlight weak policy persistency, underscoring the need for reforms focused on better products, sales practices and consumer retention

Policy prospects: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening

The RBI's decision to hold rates reflects easing inflation risks for now, but rising price pressures could warrant policy tightening in the coming months

UPI fee proposal could complicate quick commerce's rapid expansion

The proposal to levy a fee on UPI transactions could put quick commerce in the slow lane

India must fix its jobless growth model to harness the Gen Z opportunity

Its jobless growth model needs serious course correction

Best of BS Opinion: India must align ESG disclosures with global standards

Today's opinions examine PVC import restrictions, India's judicial backlog, reforms to ESG disclosures, digital inequalities in Neet and what Google searches reveal about society

Neet's digital transition must be matched by equal access to technology

The transition from pen-and-paper to computer-based testing changes the nature of preparation itself

Justice delayed: India needs comprehensive justice system reforms

Raising the Supreme Court's strength is a welcome step, but filling vacancies and reforming lower courts remain key to tackling India's mounting judicial backlog

Price protection: Minimum import price for PVC will increase costs

The MIP on PVC resin may support domestic producers but risks raising costs for MSMEs, infrastructure projects and exporters while failing to address supply shortages

India should align ESG disclosures with global reporting standards

India needs to align its ESG reporting norms with globally accepted standards to attract investments

Best of BS Opinion: Institutions must make room for today's world

From exports and AI to urban livelihoods and geopolitics, India's institutions must adapt to new realities shaping the economy and society

The canary in the AI coal mine: Winning the race without safeguards

Winning the AI race will matter little if, in the process, we create hazards that no country can contain

August MPC: Wait and watch, with ample caution amid inflation risks

Inflationary pressures resurfaced after averaging a modest 2 per cent in 2025-26